Micros
Microcontroller takes aim at IoT applications
The Intel Quark microcontroller, designed for Internet of Things (IoT) architectures and applications is being shipped by Mouser Electronics. The Intel Quark microcontroller D2000 is a low-power, battery-operated, 32-bit microcontroller with a more robust instruction set than other entry-level microcontrollers.
STMicroelectronics accelerates STM8 sales past 2bn units
STMicroelectronics has surpassed 2bn unit sales of its robust and versatile STM8 MCUs, less than two years after reaching 1bn unit sales, noting particularly strong success in China. Aided by these accelerating STM8 sales, ST’s share of the general-purpose MCU market has grown to 12.7% in 2015 from 8.2% in 2013, according to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS).
High-frequency radar can monitor environment in 360°
Nowadays it is impossible to imagine industry without robots. Safety laser scanners mostly safeguard dangerous areas and protect people from collisions. But optical sensors have their limitations, for instance when plastic surfaces, dust or smoke obstruct their line of sight. Fraunhofer researchers have developed a new, high-frequency radar scanner that cuts through these obstacles. It can monitor its environment in a 360-degree radius, making it...
Optimised development tools for MCU range
The recently launched LPC5411x family from NXP, a series of low power, multi-market MCUs, is receiving support from IAR Systems to provide early support in the complete C/C++ compiler and debugger toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM, giving developers access to one single toolbox in which all components integrate seamlessly.
The development of the PULPino open-source microprocessor
In future, it will be easier and cheaper for developers at universities and SMEs to build wearable microelectronic devices and chips for the IoT, thanks to the PULPino open-source processor, which has been developed at ETH Zurich and the University of Bologna. Software source codes and hardware designs tend to be closely guarded trade secrets. Not so with open-source products.
Low power MCUs deliver 100 DMIPs
The STMicroelectronics STM32 L4 series of ultra-low-power microcontrollers (MCUs), which offer high memory size with ultra-low-power and CPU performance for a variety of applications are available from RS Components. The highly flexible architecture developed by ST for the series provides an ultra-low-power solution for MCUs, enabling the STM32 L4 MCUs to score a world-record 176.7 in the standardised EEMBC ULPBench tests, which compare the effic...
Support tools for efficient motor control
The range of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) from Renesas Electronics has been expanded with the launch of the RX24T Group. Using the RXv2 CPU core, the new MCUs deliver double the performance from the RX23T, 30% reduced development time, and features additional instructions designed to accelerate performance and energy efficiency in industrial equipment, office equipment and household appliances.
World’s first MCU with a configurable low-leakage TIA
Extending battery life in sensing and measurement applications, Texas Instruments has introduced what is claimed to be the industry’s only MCU with an integrated low-leakage TIA (TransImpedance Amplifier) consuming just 50pA. The MSP430FR2311 MCU offers 20 times lower leakage than alternative voltage and current sensing solutions and provides the configurability of analogue and memory technology without sacrificing battery life or boar...
Increased customisation options enhance MCU range
A new and updated range of C-Control microcontrollers designed in-house by the Conrad Technology Centrum (CTC) is now in stock at Conrad Business Supplies. The new solutions offer improved user interfaces and greater customisation options. The flagship product for the C-Control PRO family, is the C-Control AVR32-Bit MCU.
Build, debug & fine-tune STM8 applications for free
STMicroelectronics has extended incentives for designers to choose its popular STM8 MCUs for economical computing tasks in the smart devices that support modern work and life. The latest move by ST, working with Cosmic, means all the software tools that designers need to build, debug, and fine-tune STM8 applications are now available free of charge.